Yieldable landing platform for aeroplanes



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YIELDABLE LANDING PLATFORM FOR AEROPLANES Filed Jan. 9, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l L m q ico b P I Q I:

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YIELDABLE LANDING PLATFORM FOR AEROPLANES Filed Jan. 9, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7722221 all am, I

Patented Dec. 1 0, 1929 WILLIS c. wean, or oncmnn 1.41m, mcnrom nnnmmnn" m mmo rm'rroau ron AEROPLANES Application filed January 9, 1928. Serial'l'o. 245,586.

The invention relates to landing platforms for aeroplanes such as might be used on boats, buildings or any other convenient locations. It is the object of the invention to provide 5 a yieldable platform which will cushion the shock in case of too rapid descent of the plane thereon and which will also retard the move-. ment of the plane after landing so as to reduce the necessary area. With such objects in view the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the yieldable landing platform. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation thereof. Figures 3 and 4 are respectively an enlarged side elevation and cross section showing the construction of the resilient supporting means for the platform. 7

My improved landing platform consists essentially in a woven cable fabric which is held under suitable resilient tension to normally maintain a horizontal or slightly in clined position but which will .yield under the impact of a landing machine.

As shown in Figure 4 A are suitable foundations of concrete or other material arranged at opposite sides of the platform. B are frames mounted on said foundations and including vertically extending rocker arms G pivoted at D also abutmentsE on the outer side of said rocker arms and springs F bear-' ing against the inner sides of said arms. The sprin s F are preferably sleeved upon rods G which are secured to braced abutments H constituting a portion of the frame B.

The rocker arms C are suitably spaced from each other and extend along the entire side of the platform being connected to each other by a flexible rod or cable I. To this rod or cable are attached a series of cross cables J which by the tension of the springs F are held taut. Interwoven with the cross cables J are longitudinal cables K upon which the Wheels of the landing gear may run.

With the construction as described the aviator in landing his plane isnot required to exercise as great care as is usual in straightening out his plane for the platform will yield to absorb at a down impact. Also the weight of the machine after landing will depress the platform offering greater resistance to the forward movement of the machine and thereby brin 'ng it to a stop in a shorter distance. If esired the platform may be arranged with an upwardly inclined portion M as indicated in Figure 2 on which the plane may land and being also provided with a horizontal portion N on which the plane can stand and a downwardly inclined portion 0 for assistin the taking off of the plane. The essential eature is, however, the resilient yieldable construction which has the advantages above described.

What I claim as niy invention-is:

.A landing plane for aeroplanes comprising a foundation, rocker arms mounted on said foundation, a woven cable fabric extending between said rocker arms and resilient means reacting upon saidrocker arms to hold said fabric normally taut while permitting yielding of the same under impact and weight of the plane.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WHJLIS G. WARD.

the arrangement being such as to form a close fabric or carpet. If desired this may be covered with any suitable flexible material such as L which will form a proper surface 

